Star Sprinkler Recall
The Mealane Corporation of Philadelphia, PA in cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) is voluntarily recalling up to 1 million “STAR” brand sprinklers manufactured from 1961 through 1976. These sprinklers could fail in a fire, exposing the public to bodily injury, death, and property loss. These sprinklers have been installed nationwide, primarily in nursing homes. They also may be found in hospitals, schools, resorts, retail stores, office buildings and warehouses.
The CPSC reports that 67% of the sprinklers that were removed from locations across the country and submitted for testing to independent testing laboratories, such as Underwriter’s Laboratories and Factory Mutual Research Corporation failed to activate as they should. CPSC has received one report of a Star sprinkler allegedly not functioning in a bedroom fire in a nursing home.
The Star sprinklers being recalled are dry-type models D-1, RD-1, RE-1, E-1, and ME-1 made from 1961 through 1976. The “STAR“ name appears on the sprinkler, along with the model number and the date of manufacture. With dry-type sprinklers, portions of the pipe do not have water in them until the sprinkler activates. The former Star Sprinkler Company of Philadelphia, PA, sold its assets and changed its name if June 1976 and became known as Mealane Corporation.
Consumers and property owners should determine whether their facilities contain these recalled sprinklers and if so, call the Star Sprinkler Recall Hotline at (800) 866-7807 or access the website at www.star-recall.com to participate in the recall. Mealane Corporation will provide free replacement sprinkler heads and reimbursement for the labor costs of removing and replacing the old units.
KIDDIE Carbon Monoxide Alarm Recall
KIDDIE, the manufacturer of the “Nighthawk” and “Lifesaver” carbon monoxide (CO) alarms, in cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), has recalled 650,000 of the Nighthawk and 300,000 of the Lifesaver CO alarms. Both units were contaminated by a chemical that came from the packaging of the products. The chemical contamination could cause the Nighthawk CO alarm to issue a warning too late. The Lifesaver CO alarms may not issue a warning at all. KIDDIE is now installing carbon filters in newly manufactured units to help prevent a recurrence in the future.
The Lifesaver models that are affected by this recall were manufactured between June 1, 1997 and January 1, 1999. The affected Nighthawk models were manufactured between November 8, 1998 and March 9, 1999. The manufactured date can be found on the back of the packaging. For more information on the recall or to determine if your unit is affected, call KIDDIE at (800) 880-6788 or visit their web site at www.nhawk.com.